A successful cleanup takes dedicated people, extensive publicity, proper equipment, and lots of planning.

(Note: Planning for a single afternoon cleanup takes several months.)

To get started, here is a sample list of the tasks involved in planning a cleanup:

• Organize a planning committee

• Line up support

• Select a date and an appropriate site

• Recruit volunteers

• Publicize the event

• Arrange for waste disposal and recycling

• Establish a safety plan

• Coordinate volunteers on cleanup day

• Recognize participants

• Evaluate your effort

 

Suggested Committee Tasks

 

• Recruiting volunteer groups (you may want to assign specific volunteer sectors to different members)

• Scouting out littered sites

• Soliciting in-kind donations from businesses and waste haulers/recyclers

• Seeking media supporters

• Seeking participation of V.I.P.'s

• Helping out as coordinators or “runners” during the event day

• Marketing the program (i.e. Using posters, local media announcements, etc.)

• Serving as a spokesperson for the program

 

Establishing Your Committee

 

You need  to establish your committee six months before the cleanup which is made up of representatives from at least three of the following sectors:

• Government

• Business

• Media

• Schools

• Churches/Synagogues

• Civic Groups

• Local Water Trail Group

• Local Paddling Club 

Committee members can help with the many details involved with volunteer outreach and awareness plans, as well as getting the job done.

When forming a committee, select enthusiastic, energetic people you can depend on to follow through on assigned tasks.

Individuals who have contacts in the community and can reach new sources of volunteers are really helpful.

Establishing a committee will spread the workload and enable you to plan a smoothly run and successful cleanup.